Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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ENDOSCOPIC APPARATUS WITH INTEGRATED HEMOSTASIS DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is generally directed to endoscopic apparatuses for use
in
medical procedures, and in particular, to endoscopic apparatuses having
associated
hemostasis devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It has become well established that there are major public health benefits
from
regular endoscopic examinations as an aid to the early detection of disease of
internal
structures such as the alimentary and excretory canals and airways, e.g., the
colon,
esophagus, lungs, uterus, bladder, bronchi, and other organ systems. A
conventional
imaging endoscope used for such procedures comprises a flexible tube with a
fiber optic
light guide that directs illuminating light from an external light source to
the distal tip
where it illuminates the region (i.e. tissue, occlusion object) to be
examined. Frequently,
additional optical components are incorporated to adjust the spread of the
light exiting the
fiber bundle and the distal tip. An objective lens and fiber optic imaging
light guide
communicating with a camera at the proximal end of the scope, or an imaging
camera
chip at the distal tip, produce an image that is displayed to the operator. In
addition, most
endoscopes include one or more working channels through which medical devices
such
as biopsy forceps, snares, fulguration probes, and other tools may be passed.
Once the endoscope is in position, tools inserted through or associated with
the
endoscope can be brought to the proper position in the tract or cavity of the
body being
examined, such as the GI tract. Various procedures can then be carried out,
such as
removing polyps, irrigation, suction, and removing other tissues. The various
tools that
are used together with the endoscope can be either inserted separately in the
tract or
cavity and placed in the proper position independently, or may travel in a
working
channel of the endoscope, so that once the endoscope is positioned at the
desired location
in the tract or cavity, the tools may be inserted in the endoscope and easily
routed to the
desired position.
One such tool that is frequently routed through the working channel of an
endoscope is an RF electrode probe for performing hemostasis. Such a tool is
utilized in
such procedures as treating upper GI bleeding. Upper GI bleeding may be caused
by
esophageal varices or various upper GI ulcers. Generally described,
gastroscopes,
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bronchoscopes or other upper GI endoscopes may be used to diagnose and locate
bleeding vessels in patient passageways. Once located, a discrete hemostasis
radio
frequency (RF) probe, such as the Gold Probe commercially available from
Boston
Scientific, is routed through the working channel of the scope and activated
to seal off the
bleeder. While this method may be effective in treating internal bleeding, it
is not
without its deficiencies. For example, the aforementioned procedure is tedious
and time
consuming because of the need to introduce, position, energize, and withdraw
the RF
probe if other implements, e.g. biopsy forceps, are needed between the
treatment of two
bleeders.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with aspects of the present invention, an endoscope is provided.
The endoscope includes an elongated shaft body having a proximal end and a
distal end, a
distal tip section coupled to the distal end of the body, and a hemostasis
device carried on
the body and positioned proximal the distal tip section.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an endoscope is
provided. The endoscope includes an elongated, flexible body having a proximal
end and
a distal end, a distal tip coupled to the distal end of the body, and
hemostasis means
carried on the body and positioned proximal the distal tip.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a method of
treatment using an endoscope is provided. The method includes routing an
endoscope
having an associated hemostasis device through a passageway to an internal
wound site
and performing hemostasis at the internal wound site with the hemostasis
device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention
will
become more readily appreciated by reference to the following detailed
description, when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a partial perspective view of the distal region of one exemplary
embodiment of an endoscope formed in accordance with aspects of the present
invention;
FIGURE 2 is a partial perspective view of the distal region of another
exemplary
embodiment of an endoscope formed in accordance with aspects of the present
invention;
FIGURE 3 is a partial perspective view of the distal region of still another
exemplary embodiment of an endoscope formed in accordance with aspects of the
present
invention;
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FIGURE 4 is a partial perspective view of the distal region of yet another
exemplary embodiment of an endoscope formed in accordance with aspects of the
present
invention;
FIGURE 5 is a side partial cross-sectional view of the distal end of still yet
another exemplary embodiment of an endoscope formed in accordance with aspects
of
the present invention;
FIGURES 6 and 7 illustrate partial side views of the distal region of
exemplary
embodiments of endoscopes configured for treating an existing blood clot in a
patient's
passageway in accordance with aspects of the present invention; and
FIGURES 8 and 9 illustrate partial perspective views of an alternative
embodiment of an endoscope configured for treating an existing blood clot in a
patient's
passageway in accordance with aspects of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings
where
like numerals correspond to like elements. Embodiments of the present
invention are
directed to devices of the type broadly applicable to numerous medical
applications in
which it is desirable to insert an imaging device, catheter or similar device
into a body
lumen or passageway. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention are
directed to
medical devices having hemostasis capabilities. Several embodiments of the
present
invention are directed to medical devices having hemostasis capabilities that
incorporate
endoscopic features, such as illumination and visualization capabilities, for
endoscopically viewing anatomical structures within the body. As such,
embodiments of
the present invention can be used for a variety of different diagnostic and
interventional
procedures, including colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, bronchoscopy,
thoracoscopy,
laparoscopy and video endoscopy, etc., and are particularly well suited for
negotiating
tortuous passageways of the human body. Although exemplary embodiments of the
present invention will be described hereinafter as endoscopes, it will be
appreciated that
aspects of the present invention have wide application, and may be
incorporated into
other medical devices, such as catheters, where hemostasis capabilities are
desirable.
Accordingly, the following descriptions and illustrations herein should be
considered
illustrative in nature, and thus, not limiting the scope of the present
invention, as claimed.
FIGURE 1 illustrates a partial perspective of one embodiment of a medical
device, and in particular, an endoscope 20 constructed in accordance with
aspects of the
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present invention. The endoscope 20 includes an elongated tubular body 24,
also known
as an insertion tube, having a flexible proximal section 28, an optional
articulatable distal
region 32, and a distal tip 36. As will be described in more detail below, the
endoscope 20 includes an associated hemostasis device 40, such as an electrode
probe,
clip device, suturing device, etc., for treating internal bleeding during or
subsequent the
medial procedure. As will be described in more detail below, embodiments of
the present
invention may incorporate any mechanical, chemical, and/or electrical
technique for
performing hemostasis. ,
As best shown in FIGURE 1, the endoscope 20 includes an elongated tubular
body 24 having a proximal end (not shown) adapted to be coupled to a
conventional
control and display system (not shown), a distal tip 36 provided at the
endoscope's distal
end, and a central lumen (not shown) disposed therebetween. The distal tip 36
is shown
as a generally cylindrical member, and houses the vision system of the
endoscope 20.
The vision system includes LED's or another illumination source, such as fiber
optic
channels, lens, and CMOS or CDD image sensor conventionally arranged as known
in
the art. The illumination source and the image sensor are disposed in the
imaging port 54
and the illumination port 58, respectively. The distal tip 36 further includes
a
insufflation/irrigation port 64 fluidly communicating with a supply lumen for
supplying
air/gas/liquid to regions positioned at the distal end of the endoscope 20.
The distal tip 36 further includes a hemostasis device 40 carried by or
otherwise
associated therewith. In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1, the hemostasis
device 40
is configured as an electrode probe 42 projecting from the distal end face 46
of the distal
tip 36. As best shown in FIGURE 1, the electrode probe 42 is a monopolar
probe. The
monopolar electrode probe 42 includes a cylindrical body portion 66 having a
hemispherical distal end tip 70. A discrete spiral electrode 74 is disposed on
the outer
surface of the body portion 66 and the end tip 70 and connects to an
electrical lead (not
shown) that supplies RF energy to the electrode 74 from a radio frequency (RF)
energy
generator housed exterior the endoscope 20. The monopolar electrode 74 is used
in
conjunction with a second electrode (not shown) connected to an exterior
portion of the
body, as known in the art. In use, the electrode probe 42 is placed on or in
proximity to
the site of internal bleeding and RF energy is supplied thereto for heating
the area
surrounding the site of internal bleeding, as known in the art.
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Although the electrode probe 42 is described as monopolar, it is well
understood
in the art that the electrode probe 42 can be configured as a bipolar
electrode probe with
the addition of a second discrete electrode (not shown), such as a spiral
electrode.
Alternatively, the electrode probe 42 may be connected to a source of
ultrasound energy
for performing the desired hemostasis.
FIGURE 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an endoscope 120 formed in
accordance with aspects of the present invention. The endoscope 120 is
substantially
similar in materials, construction, and operation as endoscope 20, except for
the
differences that will now be described. As best shown in FIGURE 2, the
electrode probe
is omitted, and in its stead the distal end face 146 of the distal tip 136
and/or the distal
side surface 180 of the distal tip 136 may include either bipolar or monopolar
electrodes 184 for supplying RF energy to an interior of the patient. In the
embodiment
shown, a plurality of electrodes 184 are disposed around the peripheral edge
188 of the
distal tip 136 and along a portion of the distal side surface 180 of the
distal tip 136.
While the electrodes 184 are shown extending around the entire peripheral edge
188 of
the distal tip 136, it will be appreciated that the electrodes may be disposed
along any
portion or portions of the peripheral edge 188 and/or side surface 180, as
best shown in
FIGURE 3.
The electrodes 184 may be flush mounted on the endoscope 120 or may be raised
slightly from the outer surface thereof. The electrodes 184 are electrically
isolated from
one another. In one embodiment, the electrodes 184 may be electrically
isolated by a
dielectric material, such as mica or plastic, disposed therebetween.
Alternatively, the
distal tip 136 could be made of a di-electric material, portions of which
separate the
electrodes 184. Each electrode 184 is electrically connected to an RF energy
generator
disposed external the endoscope 120. It will be appreciated that the
electrodes may be
connected to the RF energy generator in a bipolar configuration, or may be
connected to
the RF energy generator in a monopolar configuration and used in conjunction
with a
second electrode (not shown) connected to an exterior portion of the body, as
known in
the art.
FIGURE 4 illustrates another alternative embodiments of an endoscope 220
formed in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The endoscope 220
is
substantially similar in materials, construction, and operation as endoscopes
20 and 120,
except for the differences that will now be described. As best shown in FIGURE
4, the
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hemostasis device 240 is a domed shaped electrode assembly 242 comprised of a
plurality of electrodes 284. The electrode assembly 242 is disposed at the
distal end
face 246 of the distal tip 236. Each electrode 284 is electrically isolated
from adjacent
electrodes. In one embodiment, dielectric spacers are positioned in-between
adjacent
electrodes 284. Each electrode 284 is electrically connected to an RF energy
generator
disposed external the endoscope 220. It will be appreciated that the
electrodes may be
connected to the RF energy generator in a bipolar configuration, or may be
connected to
the RF energy generator in a monopolar configuration and used in conjunction
with a
second electrode (not shown) connected to an exterior portion of the body, as
known in
the art.
In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGURES 1-4, the hemostasis
devices are formed as part of or fixedly coupled to the distal tips of the
endoscopes.
However, other configurations of an endoscope having an associated hemostasis
device
are possible, as will now be described in detail. Referring now to FIGURE 5,
there is
shown a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an endoscope 320
formed
in accordance with aspects of the present invention. As best shown in FIGURE
5, the
distal tip 336 includes a projecting member 358 that defines a cavity 360 from
which an
electrode probe 342 may be selectively advanced. While a projecting member is
shown,
it will be appreciated that the electrode probe 342 may be housed in a cavity
formed in a
conventionally shaped distal tip.
The electrode probe 342 includes a cylindrical body portion 366 having a
hemispherical distal end tip 370. A discrete spiral electrode 374 is disposed
on the outer
surface of the body portion 366 and the end tip 370. The electrode probe 342
is
dimensioned so as to slidably fit within the cavity 360 when retracted. The
proximal end
of the probe 342 is functionally connected to an advancer 382, such as a push-
pull stylet,
that retracts and advances the electrode probe 342 into and out of the cavity
360. The
advancer 382 is constructed to exert force in both tension and compression.
The
advancer 382 is preferably formed of an electrical conductor material so that
the
advancer 382 may also function as the electrical lead connecting the electrode
probe 342
to a source of RF energy. Alternatively, the advancer 382 may include a
discrete
electrical transmission structure for connecting the electrodes of the probe
342 to a
RF energy generator.
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While embodiments of the present invention were shown and described as
utilizing an RF electrode probe or electrode arrays as the hemostasis device,
other
hemostasis devices using mechanical, chemical, or electrical modalities may be
practiced
with and are within the scope of the present invention. Several examples of
mechanical
modalities include, but are not limited to, clips, sutures, patches, and
staples. With regard
to chemical modalities, the endoscope may be configured to discharge a blood
clotting
agent or hemostat, such as alcohol or fibrinogen, from a discharge port
located at the
distal end face of the distal tip, such as the irrigation/insufflation port.
Alternatively, the
distal tip of the endoscope could be configured with a swellable hydrogel
coating that
could selectively release the hemostatic agents via compression against the
passageway
wall or with other trigger mechanisms, such as heat.
In some instances during endoscopy, a physician detects through the images
obtained by an endoscope that a blood clot has formed at a site of previous
internal
bleeding (e.g. internal wound) due to the patient's normal physiological
response. In such
cases, it is preferable to treat the site and to perform subsequent hemostasis
to ensure that
the internal bleeding has stopped. Thus, in accordance with another aspect of
the present
invention, an endoscope may also be configured to treat such an internal site.
Turning
now to FIGURE 6, there is shown a partial perspective view of the distal end
of one
exemplary embodiment of an endoscope 420 proximate the location of a blood
clot B on
internal passageway wall W. As will be described below, the endoscope 420 is
configured for treating the site by: (1) cleaning the site; (2) removing the
blood clot; and
(3) performing hemostasis.
The endoscope 420 is substantially similar in materials, construction, and
operation as endoscope 320, except for the differences that will now be
described. As
best shown in FIGURE 6, the endoscope 420 further includes an outer peripheral
collar 490 concentrically arranged with the distal tip 436. The collar 490 is
slidably
connected to the distal end of the endoscope 420. The collar 490 is slidably
movable in a
selective manner from a retracted position shown in FIGURE 6, wherein the
collar 490
surrounds the distal tip 436, to an extended position shown in phantom in
FIGURE 6,
wherein the collar 490 is advanced past the distal end face, thereby forming
an open
ended inner cavity 494.
Movement of the collar 490 may be effected by an advancer 494, such as a push-
pull stylet, that extends through the endoscope 420 and connects to the collar
490 at its
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proximal end. As the collar 490 advances, the collar 490 slidably seats over
the distal
tip 436, thereby forming a somewhat fluid tight inner cavity 494. The collar
490 further
includes one way flap valves 496 or other one way valves around its perimeter
to allow
fluid and debris to escape from within the inner cavity 494 of the extended
collar 490, but
will prohibit fluids and debris from entering the inner cavity 494 of the
extended
collar 490.
The endoscope 420 further includes an extendible electrode probe 442 similar
in
construction and operation as the probe 342 in FIGURE 5 that advances from a
cavity
formed in the distal tip 436. The advancer structure 482, such as a stylet, is
slidably
disposed in concentric relationship within advancer 494.
In use, when the physician spots a blood clot that needs to be treated as the
endoscope 420 is routed through a passageway of the patient's body, the
endoscope 420 is
maneuvered into position by conventional steering wires/steering mechanism.
Once in
position, the collar 490 is advanced to the extended position via the advancer
494,
whereby the collar 490 covers the existing clot B and preferably forms a seal
between the
passageway wall W and the end of the collar 490. Next, high pressure fluid may
be
selectively discharged from the irrigation/insufflation port 464.
Alternatively, if space
allows, a separate high pressure discharge nozzle may be positioned at the
distal tip of the
endoscope and supplied with a source of high pressure fluid exterior the
endoscope. In
either case, the high pressure jet of fluid is directed at the existing clot B
for removal
thereof. As the fluid jet is discharged from the distal end of the endoscope
420 for
removing the clot, the clot material, other debris, and the fluid may exit the
interior cavity
of the collar through the one-way valves 296. After the clot B is removed, the
collar 490
may be retracted, and the site of previous bleeding may be treated by the
electrode
probe 442.
It will be appreciated that the site of the blood clot B may be cleaned prior
to
- removing the clot. In this case, a cleaning fluid, such as saline, may be
discharged from
the irrigation/insufflation port 464 or other port provided by the endoscope
420. It will be
appreciated that appropriate plumbing, controllable valves, and pumps may be
arranged
in a conventional manner for providing the irrigation port the ability to
selectively
discharge irrigation fluid, air, and cleaning fluid. It will also be
appreciated that the
irrigation port/insufflation port may discharge a chemical agent, such as a
thrombolytic
agent, for blood clot removal. As is known in the art, such thrombolytic
agents dissolve
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blood clots. Some examples of thrombolytic agents are tissue plasminogen
activator
(TPA) and streptokinase. Alternatively, ultrasound energy may be used to
remove the
blood clot. It will further be appreciated that embodiments of the endoscope
420 may use
other hemostasis modalities than the electrode probe to ensure the stoppage of
bleeding,
such as chemical agents, clips, staples, sutures, etc.
FIGURE 7 illustrates a partial perspective view of another embodiment of an
endoscope 520 formed in accordance with the present invention. The endoscope
520 is
substantially similar in materials, construction, and operation as endoscope
20, 320 and
420, except for the differences that will now be described. As best shown in
FIGURE 7,
the endoscope 520 further includes a flexible collar 590 that extends from the
end of the
distal tip 536 of the endoscope 520. The flexible collar 590 is generally
sheath-like,
defining an interior, open ended cavity 594. The endoscope 520 further
includes a
hemostasis device, however, for ease of illustration, the hemostasis device,
such as the
extendible electrode probe shown in FIGURE 7, has not been shown.
Alternatively, as
was described above, the discharge port 564 may be used to clean, remove,
and/or stop
internal bleeding.
FIGURES 8 and 9 illustrate a partial perspective view of another embodiment of
an endoscope 620 formed in accordance with the present invention. The
endoscope 620
is substantially similar in materials, construction, and operation as
endoscope 20, 320,
420, and 520 except for the differences that will now be described. As best
shown in
FIGURE 8, the endoscope includes a distal shaft portion 686, a flexible collar
690, and a
distal tip 636. The distal tip 636 is slidably disposed with respect to the
flexible
collar 690. In use, the distal tip 636 is slidably movable in a selective
manner from an
extended position shown in FIGURE 8, wherein the collar 690 surrounds the
distal
tip 636 and is substantially flush therewith, to a retracted position shown in
FIGURE 9,
wherein the distal tip 636 is withdrawn into the collar 690, thereby forming
an open
ended inner cavity 694.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and
described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein
without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the
electrode probe or
other portions of the distal tip may be configured to delivery therapeutic
drugs as well as
blood clotting drugs. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention
be
determined from the following claims and equivalents thereof.
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